You’ve been admitted to college! Maybe you’ve even decided where you will attend in the fall. Congratulations!
Now that you’ve received your acceptance letters, it might feel like the hard part is over (and in many ways, it is). But before you pack your bags and get to know your new roommate, there are a few important steps you still need to take to officially secure your spot and prepare for college in the fall.
Here are the key action items every admitted student should check off their list once they’ve made their final college decision.
1. Accept Your Offer of Admission & Submit Your Deposit
Once you’ve decided where to attend, you need to formally accept your offer through your college’s applicant portal. Most colleges also require an enrollment deposit to hold your place in the incoming class.
The national decision deadline is May 1, but some colleges set earlier (particularly for students admitted through Early Decision or special programs) or later dates. Make sure to confirm your college’s decision deadline!
This step makes your decision official. Congrats, you're going to college!
Tip: If you’re on the waitlist at another college, make sure to commit to a school by the deadline anyway! If you are admitted from the waitlist, you can withdraw your enrollment from the first college, but you might forfeit your deposit.
2. Finalize Your Financial Aid & Scholarships
Even if you’ve already submitted the FAFSA/CSS Profile and received your financial aid award letter, there may be follow-up steps like submitting documents, signing verification forms, or completing scholarship applications.
Make sure you:
Check your financial aid portal
Upload requested documents
Respond to any follow-up communications from the financial aid office
These steps help ensure you receive all the aid you’re eligible for!
3. Apply for On-Campus Housing
Housing applications typically open in the spring, and many schools operate on a first-come, first-served basis for room selection. If you want to request a specific residence hall, find a roommate, or select your meal plan, complete your housing application early.
Even at colleges that guarantee housing, applying early often gives you more options.
Tip: Some colleges offer Living-Learning Communities (or LLCs), where students with similar interests live in the same residence hall or on the same floor. These programs can be a great way to build community and connect with other students who share your passions. Common themes include STEM, pre-health, creative arts, sustainability, and more.
4. Send Your Final High School Transcript
Just because you’ve been admitted doesn’t mean your senior year grades aren’t important! Colleges expect you to maintain your academic performance through graduation, and they do look at your final grades. In some cases, a serious drop in performance or failure to graduate on time can even result in a rescinded offer.
Colleges need to verify that you completed your high school requirements and maintained satisfactory performance through graduation. Your final transcript is typically sent by your school counselor, but it’s your responsibility to request it.
Be sure to take care of this before your school closes for summer break.
5. Complete Any Required Placement Tests
Depending on your college and your major, you may need to take online placement tests in subjects like math or foreign language. These placement tests help determine which classes you’ll take your first semester.
These are often done online through your portal and have a set window for completion, usually tied to when you register for orientation or classes.
Tip: Don’t stress! Placement tests aren’t graded in a traditional sense, and most are used just to help place you in the right level course
6. Register for Orientation
Orientation is your official welcome to campus as a new student! It’s where many students register for classes, get their student ID, and learn how to navigate campus life.
Some colleges offer multiple dates over the summer, while others have one set orientation period. Sessions can fill up quickly, so register early if you have summer travel plans or prefer a certain date.
7. Check your portal for Other Important Tasks
Every college is a little different, but here are a few other common post-admission tasks that might show up on your to-do list:
Submit health and immunization forms
Upload your student ID photo
Provide proof of health insurance (or waive school coverage)
Send AP/IB scores or dual enrollment transcripts for credit or placement
Check your applicant portal weekly and read every email from your college. You don’t want to miss something important!
Final Thoughts
After months of hard work and decision-making, this final stretch is all about tying up loose ends and preparing for a smooth transition to college.
Even though the official admissions process is over, completing these action steps thoughtfully and on time will help ensure that nothing gets in the way of your college experience.
Regularly check your student portal, create a checklist, and don’t be afraid to reach out to the admissions team if you have questions. You’re almost there!